The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-07-16
JOHN BRANDS SECRET.
Why He Asked Miss Penhryn to
Marry Him.

He thought it was a secret, but it was
not. |. myself heard it from several
sources, The surprising part of the
affair was that he should have mag
ined it possible to keep any thing saw
Oring of secrecy from the dear old idle
gossips, who, year after year, pitched
their tents at Sea Cliff, that most
charming of watering-places. But men
are never consistent At least that is
my impression. Speaking of gossips,
Idon' hesitate to claim myself cham
pion. But it is my business to talk;
and talk do with vengeance. How
should | find material wherewith to
anluse the large number of subscribers
to the Weekly TatIier, if l did not use
my tongueP
1t is all very well to suppose
that subjects float around in the
brain in picturesque confusion, only
waiting to be seized upon and
conveyed to more healthy local
tiles. But that moonshine! Subjects
are, for the most part, picked up from
everyday intercourse with everyday
people, and are nodded into shape by
persistent method of grinding. At
least that's how | get mine. For the
past five years have spent the months
of July and August at the Sea Cliff,
Ocean Beach Hotel; and it can readily
be conceived how close a resemblance
bear to the crafty Machiavel, when |
state that continue to sail under
false colors, insomuch as my identity
has never been discovered, andsI con-
tinue to pass for the most inoffensive
and innocent of women!
In reality, am the most hypocriti
cal. While my friends are chattering
away indiscreetly. | am mentally TAX
ing notes and drawing differences. So
that when HE me away to my lodg-
ing-house in New York, have only to
deposit the contents of my battered in
trunk upon the floor, and, presto! what
budget of items greet me? l chuckle
as | sort them over
But to return. The Ocean Beach
Hotel is small, very exclusive, and, l
may add, very expensive. My pres
ence there is easily accounted for. The
Tattier defrays my expenses. Such is
literary distinction
We have only the genuinely swell
people stopping here. Most of our
rooms overlook the grand old ocean;
and the ocean at Sea Cliff is something
to write about; bound as it is by rug
ged coast, over which rocks of noun
famous grandeur tower majestically.
Often have stood upon the balcony
leading from my chamber, and fancied
myself in some enchanted land, so re-
splendent is the scene which met my
eye. Fancy moonlit sea, lying pale
and spectral in the witching calm of a
midsummer night. Imagine a vast
army of tremulous waves, bathed in
opalescent light, rising and falling
unanimously; picture those foamy bill
lows, rapturously tossing themselves,
one against the other, till, in an ecstacy
OF passion, they dash against the sky,
where a bloOd-red star pierces their
frctting bosom, and sends them foam
ne, Seething, raging back into their
ocean bed.
Sea Cliff by d Y is quite as attractive
as Sea Cliff by night. At least it is to
the generality of p ople. The motel
this last season was filed to overflow
ing, but as my story has only to do
with lady, a gentleman and an old
woman. will contine myself to them.
The gentleman l knew very we'll;
that is, | had several summers ac-
quaintance with him. He interested
me Immensely, and | have no hesitation
i ,confnssing it. indeed, | longed to
write him up, but the unfeeling wretch
never gave me the ghost of chance
However, opportunities always arrive,
if we wait long enough for them, and
mine came at last. l seized upon it
with avidity. The gentleman l refer
TO was Mr.. John Brand. eight and
thirty or Whereabouts, and lawyer by